Heat shielded sealing curtain

ABSTRACT

A sealing curtain for a loading dock includes a pliable heat shield that helps protect the sealing curtain from concentrated heat generated by a truck&#39;s taillight being pressed against the sealing curtain. The heat shield is preferably placed just underneath a sealing surface of the sealing curtain. The heat shield reflects heat away from an inner surface and disperses the heat over a broader area to reduce the peak temperature of any hot spots. The sealing curtain may be height adjustable to position the heat shield at various heights along the loading dock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The subject invention generally pertains to a loading dock andmore specifically to a dock seal disposed around a doorway of the dock.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] When an exterior doorway of a building is used as a loading dockfor vehicles, especially trucks, the perimeter of the doorway mayinclude a loading dock shelter. The shelter may be formed of rigid orcompressible header and side panels. Head curtains and side curtains,referred to collectively as sealing curtains, are typically used overthese panels to seal-off gaps that would otherwise exist between theexterior face of the building and the back end of the truck. Suchsealing allows cargo from the rear of the truck to be loaded andunloaded while the dockworkers and the cargo are protected from theweather. The header panel runs horizontally across the top of thedoorway and the side panels run vertically along each lateral edge ofthe doorway. Sealing is provided by backing the truck up against theshelter, so that the curtains sealingly engage the vehicle as it isbacked-up.

[0005] Constant usage damages the external surfaces of dock shelters andthese sealing curtains. The curtains, for example, are exposed to harshweather conditions, made even harsher by fluctuations in weatherconditions. Additionally, the curtains are ofttimes exposed to intenseheat during normal operation due to the taillights on trucks. Thisexposure occurs when taillights, located along the upper rear edge ofthe truck, push against the sealing curtain or dock shelter. Thetaillight problem is increasingly more prevalent, as the NationalHighway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently issuedinterpretative rules/communications regarding Federal Motor VehicleSafety Standard No. 108. FMVSS-108 requires a cluster of threeidentification lamps to be mounted as close as practicable to the top oftruck vehicles. These lights are ideally placed at the extreme height ofthe vehicle and are used to identify the vehicle to other motorvehicles.

[0006] The lights are often placed in the upper, back corners of truckbeds and can create intense heat concentrations that over time willdamage dock shelters and sealing curtains, in particular sealingcurtains. The lights may be turned off during loading and unloading. Butif the truck operator inadvertently leaves the lights on, the outersurfaces of the dock shelter or sealing curtain will absorb the heatgenerated by these taillights. The excessively high temperatures thatresult will wear on the structures, degrading their appearance. Moreimportantly, the high temperatures may crack the structures and, in someextreme cases, may even cause the structures to burn or melt at thepoints of contact.

[0007] It is, therefore, desirable to have sealing curtains that canwithstand intense heat and still offer other desirable features such asresiliency, lightweight, appearance, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In order to provide a sealing curtain that can tolerate heatgenerated by a vehicle's taillight, a sealing curtain comprising asealing surface for engaging the parked vehicle; and a heat shieldadjacent the sealing surface, wherein the heat shield and the sealingsurface are pliable and wherein the heat shield has a higher thermalconductivity than the sealing surface to dissipate heat from the parkedvehicle across the sealing curtain.

[0009] In some embodiments, a heat shield is positioned adjacent asealing surface to protect the sealing curtain from heat damage.

[0010] In some embodiments, a sealing curtain is provided with a heatshield that has appreciable thermal conductivity to help disperse heat.

[0011] In some embodiments, a sealing curtain is provided with a heatshield that has appreciable reflectivity to reflect some heat away froman inner surface of the sealing curtain or to reflect some heat awayfrom a material behind the sealing curtain.

[0012] In some embodiments, a sealing curtain is provided with a heatshield that can withstand a higher temperature than a sealing surface ofthe sealing curtain, whereby the heat shield helps protect the sealingcurtain from heat damage.

[0013] In some embodiments, a sealing curtain is provided with a leadingedge that is height adjustable.

[0014] In some embodiments, the sealing curtain includes an armor pleatat its edges.

[0015] In some embodiments, the sealing curtain includes a head curtainthat runs substantially horizontally.

[0016] In some embodiments, the sealing curtain includes a side curtainthat runs substantially vertically.

[0017] In some embodiments, a sealing surface of a sealing curtainincludes raised elements that assist in heat dissipation across thesealing curtain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dock pad that includes a heatshield.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2, but ofanother embodiment.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example sealing curtain thatincludes a heat shield.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sealing curtain of FIG. 4showing additional detail.

[0023]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example sealing curtain havingan adjustable height.

[0024]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example structure having asealing curtain of an adjustable height with two side curtains ofseparately adjustable height.

[0025]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example side curtain having aheat shield.

[0026]FIG. 9 is a front view of the structure of FIG. 8 showing supportstruts in the side curtains.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] To create a weather seal between the rear of a truck 10 (or someother vehicle) and the perimeter a loading dock doorway 12, a dock pad14 (or dock pad assembly) is installed, as shown in FIG. 1. In thisexample, dock pad 14 includes a side pad 16 mounted along each lateraledge of doorway 12, and a top or head pad 18 installed along thedoorway's upper edge. Pads 16 and 18 are resiliently compressible, so astruck 10 backs up against them, the pads compressively and sealinglyconform to the contour of the truck's rear edges.

[0028] To provide dock pad 14 with durability and resilientcompressibility, pad 14 includes a resiliently compressible foam core 20covered by a tough outer cover 22, as shown in FIG. 2. In this example,core 20 consists of a polyurethane or foamed polyester, such as, forexample, an L24 open-cell polyurethane foam provided by Leggett & Plattof Carthage, Mo. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art;however, that a wide variety of other synthetic or natural foams mayalso work well. In some embodiments, cover 22 is a 3022_MFRLPC_DC7material provided by the Seaman Corporation of Wooster, Ohio. Otherexamples of cover materials would include, but are not limited to,HYPALON, canvas duck, rubber-impregnated fabric, and coated nylonfabric.

[0029] In assembling pad 14, cover 22 wraps at least partially aroundcore 20, and the two are attached to a relatively rigid backer 24, sucha formed steel channel or a wood board. Backer 24, in this example,provides a mounting surface 26 that facilitates the installation of pad14. A conventional fastener or anchor can be used to attach backer 24 toa wall 28 of a loading dock 30. In some embodiments, cover 22 attachesto the side edges of backer 24 by any one of a variety of fastenersincluding, but not limited to, screws, VELCRO, rivets, hooks, andadhesive. Core 20 can be frictionally held to cover 22, or the two canbe joined in a more positive manner. For example, cover 22 can beconnected to core 20 with adhesive, straps, hooks, VELCRO, stitches,screws, etc.

[0030] To make pad 14 more resistant to heat, such as heat generated bya taillight 32 pressing against certain points 34 on a sealing surface36 of pad 14, a heat shield 38 is attached to pad 14. In someembodiments, heat shield 38 is incorporated within a Commercial MaterialRTCM01, which consists of two flexible sheets or layers of perforatedaluminum foil reinforced with a polyethylene scrim or fabric, asprovided by Radiant Technology, of Dallas, Tex. The flexibility ofshield 38 is preferably sufficient to allow dock pad 14 to compressivelyconform to the contour of the truck's rear edges and then decompress tothe pad's original shape. Heat shield 38 can be attached to pad 14 usingadhesive, friction, hooks, straps, stitches, and/or various otherfasteners. Shield 38 can be attached to the exterior or interior of pad14, however; shield 38 is preferably installed between cover 22 and foamcore 20 for structural, functional, and aesthetic reasons.

[0031] Placing shield 38 underneath cover 22, helps keep cover 22exposed to the outside, thus taking advantage of the cover's toughness,weather resistance and pliability. Moreover, shield 38 preferably has ahigher reflectivity than core 20 and cover 22. This can be beneficial incases where the cover can withstand a higher temperature than the core,wherein “withstand a higher temperature” means a material can be raisedto the higher temperature and then substantially recover its originalproperties after its temperature returns to normal. For example, if thefoam of core 20 has an auto ignition point (i.e., temperature at whichthe material self-ignites without being triggered by a spark or a flame)of 700 degrees Fahrenheit and cover 22 has an auto ignition point of 900degrees, then heat shield 38 with high reflectivity could reflect heataway from the foam and redirect it into cover 22, which may be able tohandle the heat better. In some embodiments, both cover 22 and core 20have a lower auto ignition point than heat shield 38 (e.g., when shield38 is one of the two layers of aluminum foil contained within CommercialMaterial RTCM01).

[0032] To reduce peak temperatures of core 20 and/or cover 22 whenheated by taillight 32, heat shield 38 is made of a material that has ahigher thermal conductivity than core 20 and/or cover 22. The maximumtemperature at areas of concentrated heat, such as points 34, is reducedby shield 38 being able to effectively disperse the heat over a broaderarea. The term, “thermal conductivity” refers to a material's ability toconduct heat of a given temperature gradient along a given length andthrough a given cross-sectional area of the material, thus thermalconductivity is a property of the material itself, and is generallyindependent of the material's shape. A typical unit of measure forthermal conductivity would be (Btu)/(hr)(ft)(° F.).

[0033] To provide even greater heat protection, another embodiment,similar to that of FIG. 2, provides a dock pad 14′ with two heat shields38′, as shown in FIG. 3. It is believed that additional heat protectionis provided by the additional overall thickness of the two shields andperhaps partially provided by virtue of an additional slight airinterface 40 that may exist between the two shields 38′. Moreover, for agiven total thickness, two individual shields instead of one relativelythick one is more flexible, just as a stack of individual cards is moreflexible than a stack of cards whose faces are glued together.

[0034] A strap 42 inserted through a slit 44 in foam core 20′ helps holdthe two shields 38′ in place. A loop 46 at each end of strap 44 engagesholes 48 in shields 38′; however, strap 42 could attach to shields 38′in a variety of other ways as well. Also, strap 42 could feed around theback of core 20′ to eliminate the need for slit 44; however, strap 42extending through slit 44 helps keep strap 42 and shields 38′ fromshifting along the length of a pad.

[0035] To provide even greater heat protection, FIGS. 4 and 5 show anembodiment with a sealing curtain 50 (a head curtain, in thisillustration) that has an integral heat shield. The sealing curtain 50is installed around a loading dock doorway 52, partially covering sidepads 54. The sealing curtain 50 may be adapted for retrofitting ontoexisting dock pads, extending over an existing head pad and side panels.The sealing curtain 50 includes two armor pleat sections 56 and 58 atthe outer sides of the sealing curtain 50. The armor pleats 56 and 58are formed of a series of overlapping sections 60 and 62, respectively.The armor pleats 56 and 58 may be positioned to coincide with the edgesof the sealing curtain 50. The edges of the truck, where intense lightsare disposed, typically contact the sealing curtain 50 at the armorpleats 56 and 58, which provide additional abrasion protection when thetruck is backed into and away from the doorway 52. Additional pleats maybe employed extending down the length of the side panels 54 to offerfurther protection. The overlapping sections 60 and 62 reduce abrasionwear not only because of extra layering, but also because sections aremovable relative to one another.

[0036] In addition to pleats, the side panels 54 may each include heatshield layers, for example, if the side panels 54 are side pads formedof compressible foam cores that are susceptible to heat damage.

[0037] The sealing curtain 50 includes a middle section 64 extendingbetween the armor pleats 56 and 58. The middle section 64 is formed ofan outer, sealing surface 66 and an inner surface 68, as shown in FIG.5. Sandwiched between surfaces 66 and 68 is a heat shield 70. The heatshield 70 may be any of the materials described with respect to otherexamples described herein. The heat shield 70 preferably has a higherheat reflectivity than the sealing surface 66 and the inner surface 68.Therefore, the head shield 70 will not only protect covered structures,like head panels or side panels, it will also protect the sealingcurtain 50 itself.

[0038] The material of the heat shield 70 may have a higher thermalconductivity than the surfaces 66 and 68, as described above, as well.As a higher thermal conductivity material, the heat shield 70 willdisperse heat from the high-temperature points where a taillight abutsthe sealing curtain 50. Dispersing heat through a high thermalconducting material will greatly decrease the likelihood that thesealing curtain 50 will be damaged at these hot spots. High thermalconductivity materials, like aluminum-based materials, are preferred,due to their durability, resistance to deformation over time, structuralsupport, and flexibility. As with heat shield 38, the heat shield 70 maybe attached to the sealing curtain 50 using adhesive, friction, hooks,straps, stitches, and/or various fasteners. Also, the heat shield 70 mayalternatively be attached at the exterior of the surface 66 exposed toan on-coming truck.

[0039] Further still, the heat shield 70 may comprise multiple layers orsheets that individually or collectively provide heat shielding. Forexample, the heat shield 70 may be a heat trapping structure sandwichedbetween the surfaces 66 and 68. The heat shield 70 preferably extendsfrom armor pleat 56 to armor pleat 58, so as to provide heat shieldingagainst taillights that may contact at any point on the sealing curtain50. The heat shield 70 may also extend under the armor pleats 56 and 58to add further protection at these locations. A heat shield may also beintegrated into each of the overlapping sections 60 and 62, if sodesired, such that each pleat has a separate heat shield layer.

[0040] To further shield the sealing curtain 50 from heat damage, thesealing surface 66 may be embossed with a pattern of raised elements 72.The raised elements 72 may be patterned with sufficient spacing betweenadjacent elements to further dissipate the heat from a taillight over anumber of contacts points. A checkerboard pattern is preferred, thoughvarious patterns and various raised elements may be used.

[0041]FIG. 6 shows an example sealing curtain 50′, which is similar tothat of sealing curtain 50 and which is height adjustable so that it mayoverhang a desired amount from the top edge of the loading dock doorway52. The sealing curtain 50′ overhangs upper portions of the side panels54′, as well. To adjust the sealing curtain 50′, a rod 74 is placed at aleading edge 76 of the curtain 50′. The rod 74 may be attached to theleading edge 76 by overlapping a portion of the sealing curtain 50′ ontoitself forming a slot for receiving the rod 74. The rod 74 providesrigidity and preferably extra weight to allow the sealing curtain 50′ tobe pulled by a series of ropes 78, 80, 82. The ropes 78, 80, and 82 maybe part of a single rope or part of a rope pulling mechanism and eitherway are used to raise and payout the leading edge 76. The rod 70 may beweighted to bias the sealing curtain 50′ to fall upon release of tensionin the ropes 78, 80, 82. A counter-balancing weight may be used to biasthe sealing curtain 50′ to a certain height above the floor of thedoorway 52. In the illustrated example, the ropes 78, 80, and 82 areconnected through loops attached to a frame 84 that extends from thedoorway 52. The frame 84 includes parallel slats 86 and parallel slats88 and 90. The frame 84 may be part of a dock shelter, for example ahead panel of the same.

[0042] Other pulling mechanisms known to persons of ordinary skill inthe art may also be used for moving the sealing curtain 50′. Forexample, it may be useful to use a chain in lieu of ropes, and it may bedesirable to use either a manual pull mechanism or an automatic one.

[0043] Adjusting the position of the leading edge 76 allows the sealingcurtain 50′ to provide heat shielding for vehicles of various heights.Thus, the sealing curtain 50′ provides an adjustable-height heat shieldfor a loading dock. Preferably, the heat shield is formed of a materialthat is flexible enough to pay out from a raised position andstructurally rigid enough to maintain its shape and properties in alowered position.

[0044] Numerous alternatives to the examples shown may be used, forexample, sectioning the sealing curtain 50′ so that a middle portion 64′or an armor pleat portion 56′ (not shown) 58′ are separately heightadjustable. FIG. 7 shows an example heat shielding structure 100 formedof a sealing curtain 101 having a head curtain 102, a first side curtain104, and a second side curtain 106, each individually height adjustable.The head curtain 102 is adjustable over a central portion of a doorway108 and, in the illustrated example, extends below a header panel 110that extends horizontally across the top of the doorway 108 adjacent twovertically extending side panels 112, 114. The head panel 110 and sidepanes 112, 114 may be rigid or compressible structures. The side curtain104 extends over the side panel 112, and the side curtain 106 extendsover the side panel 114. In the illustrated position, the side curtains104 and 106 have been extend below the height of the sealing curtain102. Also, in the illustrated example, the curtains 102, 104 and 106each have heat shields like the heat shield 70 described above. A heatshield 116, for curtain 104, is shown sandwiched between a sealingsurface 118 and an inner surface 120. The heat shield 116 preferably hasa higher heat reflectivity than the sealing surface 118 and the innersurface 120. The heat shield 116 may also have a higher thermalconductivity than the surfaces 118 and 120, as well. Further still, theheat shield 116 may comprise multiple layers or sheets that individuallyor collectively provide heat shielding. The head curtain 102 has a heatshield (not shown) like the heat shield 70 of FIG. 5. Any of thecurtains 102, 104, and 106 may have amour pleats or embossed raisedportions, as described above with respect to FIG. 5.

[0045]FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example of another application of a heatshield. A vehicle shelter 200 includes a head panel 202 and two sidepanels 204 attached to an exterior wall face defining a doorway 206. Twoside pads 208 are attached to side panels 204 for example using aconventional hook and loop attachment device 210 commonly referred to asVelcro fasteners. The loop portion of attachment device 210 may beattached to one of the side curtains 208 or the side panel 204 and thelatch portion attached to the other of the side curtains 208 or the sidepanel 204, wherein the latch and loop portions may latchably engage eachother and attach the side curtain 208 to the side panel 204. The sidecurtain 208 and the side panel 204 may be selectively released bypulling the hook and loop portions apart.

[0046] The size, number and location of the attachment devices 210 maybe adjusted to provide the proper support for the side curtain 204. Itwill be appreciated that the side curtain 208 may be releasablyconnected to the side panel 204 using snap fasteners, zippers or othermethods known to those skilled in the art. If desired the side curtain208 may also be fixedly attached to the side panel 204 using stitchingor other methods known to those skilled in the art which wouldpermanently affix the side curtain 208 to the side panel 204.

[0047] The side curtains 208 have heat shields 212 similar to heatshields 70 described above. The heat shield 212 is sandwiched between asealing surface 214 and an inner surface 216 and may be formed of thematerials previously described. In particular, the heat shield 212preferably has a higher heat reflectivity than the sealing surface 214and the inner surface 216. The material of the heat shield 212 may havea higher thermal conductivity than the surfaces 214 and 216, as well.Further still, the heat shield 212 may comprise multiple layers orsheets that individually or collectively provide heat shielding. Theside curtains 208 may include amour pleats, with or without heatshields, as well.

[0048]FIG. 9 shows the side curtains 208 with a plurality ofsubstantially resilient stays 218 (shown in phantom) that provideadditional rigidity, lateral support and shape to the side curtain 208and which may be embedded in the side curtain 208 or slidably insertedinto pockets provided in the side curtains 208. The stays 218 willresiliently bias the side curtain 208 towards a substantially straightposition.

[0049] Although the invention is described with reference to a theseexamples, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications are well within the scope of the invention. Forexample, other sealing curtains employing a heat shield may be used. Thesealing curtains, both sealing curtains and side curtains may beattached to dock shelters, compressible dock pads, and the like, in waysother than those depicted. Moreover, the curtains may be used alone. Thescope of the invention is to be determined by reference to the claimsthat follow.

We claim:
 1. A sealing curtain adapted to seal against a vehicle parkedagainst the sealing curtain, comprising: a sealing surface for engagingthe parked vehicle; and a heat shield adjacent the sealing surface,wherein the heat shield and the sealing surface are pliable and whereinthe heat shield has a higher thermal conductivity than the sealingsurface to dissipate heat from the parked vehicle across the sealingcurtain.
 2. The sealing curtain of claim 1 further comprising an innersurface, wherein the heat shield is interposed between the inner surfaceand the sealing surface.
 3. The sealing curtain of claim 2, wherein theheat shield has a higher thermal conductivity than the inner surface. 4.The sealing curtain of claim 2, wherein the heat shield can withstand ahigher temperature than the inner surface.
 5. The sealing curtain ofclaim 2, wherein the heat shield has a higher reflectivity than theinner surface.
 6. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the heatshield is formed of a plurality of heat shield layers.
 7. The sealingcurtain of claim 1, wherein the heat shield can withstand a highertemperature than the sealing surface.
 8. The sealing curtain of claim 1,wherein the heat shield has a higher reflectivity than the sealingsurface.
 9. The sealing curtain of claim 1, further comprising at leastone armor pleat at an outer edge of the sealing curtain.
 10. The sealingcurtain of claim 9, wherein the heat shield extends over the armorpleat.
 11. The sealing curtain of claim 9, wherein the armor pleatincludes a plurality of overlapping sections, wherein the heat shield isformed integrally with at least one of the plurality of overlappingsections.
 12. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the sealingcurtain is a head curtain and has an elongated length runningsubstantially horizontally.
 13. The sealing curtain of claim 1, whereinthe sealing curtain is a side curtain and has an elongated lengthrunning substantially vertically.
 14. The sealing curtain of claim 1,wherein the sealing curtain further comprises; a head curtain having anelongated length running substantially horizontally; and at least oneside curtain having an elongated length running substantiallyvertically.
 15. The sealing curtain of claim 14, wherein the headcurtain has a leading edge movable from a first height to a secondheight, and wherein the at least one side curtain has a leading edgemovable from a first height to a second height independent from themovement of the leading edge of the head curtain.
 16. The sealingcurtain of claim 1, wherein the sealing curtain has a leading edge withan adjustable height.
 17. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein theheat shield includes aluminum.
 18. The sealing curtain of claim 1,wherein the heat shield that can withstand a higher temperature than thesealing surface.
 19. The sealing curtain of claim 1, wherein the sealingsurface includes a plurality of raised elements that dissipate heatacross the sealing curtain.
 20. A sealing curtain, comprising: a firstarmor pleat; a second armor pleat, the first armor pleat and secondarmor pleat being disposed at opposing side edges of the sealingcurtain; a sealing surface extending between the first armor pleat andthe second armor pleat, the sealing surface having a height adjustableleading edge; and a heat shield disposed adjacent the sealing surface,wherein the heat shield has a higher thermal conductivity than thesealing surface to dissipate heat across the sealing curtain.
 21. Thesealing curtain of claim 20, wherein the heat shield is formed of aplurality of heat shields.
 22. The sealing curtain of claim 20, whereinthe heat shield has sufficient flexibility to allow the sealing curtainto pay out from a raised position.
 23. The sealing curtain of claim 20,wherein the heat shield has a higher reflectivity than the sealingsurface.
 24. The sealing curtain of claim 20, further comprising atleast one panel disposed adjacent the sealing curtain, wherein the heatshield has a higher thermal conductivity than the panel.
 25. The sealingcurtain of claim 24, wherein the heat shield has a higher reflectivitythan the panel.
 26. The sealing curtain of claim 24, wherein the panelis a side panel.
 27. The sealing curtain of claim 24, wherein the panelis a header panel.
 28. A side curtain comprising: a side panel; asealing surface for engaging the parked vehicle; and a heat shieldadjacent the sealing surface, wherein the heat shield and the sealingsurface are pliable and wherein the heat shield has a higher thermalconductivity than the sealing surface to dissipate heat across the sidecurtain.
 29. The side curtain of claim 28 further comprising an innersurface, wherein the heat shield is interposed between the inner surfaceand the sealing surface.
 30. The side curtain of claim 29, wherein theheat shield has a higher thermal conductivity than the inner surface.31. The side curtain of claim 29, wherein the heat shield can withstanda higher temperature than the inner surface.
 32. The side curtain ofclaim 29, wherein the heat shield has a higher reflectivity than theinner surface.
 33. The side curtain of claim 28, wherein the heat shieldis formed of a plurality of heat shield layers.
 34. The side curtain ofclaim 28, wherein the heat shield can withstand a higher temperaturethan the sealing surface.
 35. The side curtain of claim 28, wherein theheat shield has a higher reflectivity than the sealing surface.
 36. Asealing curtain adapted to seal against a vehicle parked against thesealing curtain, comprising: a sealing surface for engaging the parkedvehicle; and a heat shield adjacent the sealing surface, wherein theheat shield and the sealing surface are pliable and wherein the heatshield has a higher heat reflectivity than the sealing surface toreflect heat from the parked vehicle.
 37. The sealing curtain of claim36, further comprising an inner surface, wherein the heat shield isinterposed between the inner surface and the sealing surface and whereinthe heat shield has a higher reflectivity than the inner surface. 38.The sealing curtain of claim 37, wherein the heat shield has a higherthermal conductivity than the inner surface.
 39. The sealing curtain ofclaim 37, wherein the heat shield can withstand a higher temperaturethan the inner surface.
 40. The sealing curtain of claim 36, wherein theheat shield can withstand a higher temperature than the sealing surface.41. The sealing curtain of claim 36, wherein the sealing curtain is ahead curtain and has an elongated length running substantiallyhorizontal.
 42. The sealing curtain of claim 36, wherein the sealingcurtain is a side curtain and has an elongated length runningsubstantially vertically.
 43. The sealing curtain of claim 36, whereinthe sealing surface includes a plurality of raised elements thatdissipated heat across the sealing curtain.